Purina Says “Nonsense” to Bacon

Purina Pet Food company is facing a lawsuit over (basically) misleading advertising for the company’s Beggin Strips. Purina stated it is “nonsense” that any consumer would think the treat is bacon. However, their advertising seems to say the dog treat is bacon. How many times can the word ‘bacon’ be repeated in one television commercial?

From the Reuters.com news story regarding the lawsuit against Purina, “Paul Kacocha of Dutchess County, New York, the owner of a West Highland terrier named Sophie, said he and other dog owners paid a premium for popular Beggin’ products, assuming they were made mostly of real bacon, when in fact the meat is only a miniscule portion of the pet treats. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.”

“Purina spokesman Keith Schopp said in a statement the company has always been transparent and accurate in its advertising, marketing and packaging. “The notion that anyone would actually think we’re selling bacon is nonsense,” he said.”

Nonsense? The advertising for this product seems to be saying exactly that – the treat is bacon (mostly bacon).

In this 15 second commercial from Purina Beggin’ Strips, on average, the word bacon was stated every other second. An image of bacon also displays in the commercial.

In this 30 second commercial from Purina Beggin’ Strips, the word bacon was stated 11 times. During the commercial the dog’s voice repeatedly asks ‘where’s the bacon?’ When the dog reaches the Mom, the dog’s voice says ‘Where’s the bacon? There in that bag.’ An image of bacon displays in the commercial. And the word ‘bacon’ is spelled out in the child’s alphabet blocks.

Honestly, if you haven’t learned to read the actual ingredients which I admit are not so plain as they might be, let that be a lesson to you. Very little if anything that is good for you or your dog isadvertised

It says on the front of the bag “bacon and beef flavors” and “made with real bacon”, Bacon is the 8th ingredient. No where does it say made with 100% bacon. So if you would buy it thinking that, would you buy orange soda thinking that it was made with 100% oranges?